During December 3-7, 2023, USEF-Nepal hosted a four-day South and Central Asia Fulbright Regional Workshop in Kathmandu. The workshop brought together 49 Fulbright program officers, advisers, and stakeholders from India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, the United States, and Uzbekistan to discuss the program's strategic approaches, impact, and challenges. |
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(Center) Marianne Craven, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Academic Programs, Exchange Programs – U.S. Department of State |
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Global UGRAD Program Outreach |
Throughout November, USEF-Nepal conducted a series of in-person and virtual information sessions for the 2024-25 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) competition. During these sessions, participants engaged with program alumni and gained valuable insights into the application process. |
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(L-R) Subhashree College of Management Students; SAIM College students |
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Madhusudan Ghimire and Srijana Sharma at iHub, Teku, Kathmandu |
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American Corner Biratnagar |
Thank you to program alumni Hitendra Jha (2022, Forestry, West Virginia University), Madhusudan Ghimire (2022, Psychology, Missouri State University), Srijana Sharma (2021, Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Northern Arizona University) and Vaibhav Nahata (2021, Business Management, University of Mississippi), who served as resource persons to encourage and advise students during the Information Sessions and Application Writing Workshops. |
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UGRAD Pre-departure Orientation |
2023-2024 UGRAD Program grantees Shristi Thapa and Om Prakash Sharma attended a Pre-Departure Orientation conducted by USEF-Nepal on December 26 prior to their departure to the U.S. Learn more about our grantees here. |
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(L-R) Shristi Thapa, Om Prakash Sharma |
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On December 27, Fulbright Teaching and Research Scholar Dr. Shiva Gautam delivered an impactful final presentation titled Advancing Biostatistical Literacy in an Academic Medical School through Teaching and Research Activities at the School of Public Health, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKHIS) in Dharan.
Dr. Gautam is a researcher in Statistics/Biostatistics at the University of Florida. His project at BPKIHS from August 2023 to January 2024 studied the distribution and frequency of prescription patterns in BPKHIS-affiliated health centers, with a special emphasis on diagnosing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in relation to the Government of Nepal's Free Drug Policy and the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicine List. His research, titled “Pattern of prescription for non-communicable diseases: A pilot survey of health care facilities in Eastern Nepal” generated preliminary information that may be used as a steppingstone to other related studies culminating in policy changes in drug availability, distribution, and pricing.
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Dr. Shiva Gautam with Master’s in Public Health and MD students following his presentation |
Educational Advising Center |
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On December 20-21, USEF-Nepal’s EducationUSA Advising Center collaborated with the American Corner, Bhaiirahawa in conducting outreach sessions on the 'Five Steps to U.S. Study' for high school and undergraduate students at Bhairahawa Namuna Campus; Butwal Kalika Campus; Institute of Agricultural and Animal Science, Paklihawa Campus; Jaycees Boarding Secondary School; Oxford Secondary School XI and XII; Sai Global Higher Secondary Boarding School; and Sun Shine Boarding Higher Secondary School. USEF-Nepal extends its sincere thanks to Ms. Deepika Giri of American Corner, Bhairahawa for facilitating the visits, and to the academic teams of the participating colleges. |
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EAC's Bhairahawa Outreach |
During the last week of November, USEF-Nepal Adviser Dev Adhikari participated in Iowa State University’s annual familiarization visit program for EducationUSA advisers and international counselors. The program helped familiarize participants with U.S. campus life, academics, faculty, programs, and opportunities available for international students at Iowa State University. It included meetings, campus tours, and receptions. Mr. Adhikari also had the opportunity to interact with the Nepali students’ community at the university. |
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Dev Adhikari with fellow participants and students at Iowa State University, Iowa |
Congratulations to Priyani Shah, USEF-Nepal’s EducationUSA Advising Center Adviser for receiving the Unsung Hero Award for South and Central Asia at the EducationUSA end-of-year town hall. Priyani was nominated by her co-advisers in recognition of her exceptional dedication and achievements. |
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The Fulbright Program South and Central Asia Regional Workshop in Kathmandu commenced on December 4, 2023 with a reception hosted at Aloft, Thamel. After a day of presentations and panel discussions, conference participants gathered for an evening of networking with USEF-Nepal board members, partners, and Nepali and American Fulbright current grantees and alumni. |
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(L-R) Fulbright alum Sagar Prasai, Acting DAS Marianne Craven, USEF-Nepal Board Member Meghan Nalbo, and Executive Director Nick Langton |
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(L – R) Fulbright alumna Dr. Anjana Singh, Dhurba Shah from the U.S. Embassy,USEF-Nepal Board Member Shanker Raj Pandey |
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(L – R) Fulbright grantees Lindy Reynolds, Dinasha Dahanayake, Chief of South and Central Asia Fulbright Programs Julia Findlay, and Sarah Burack |
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Fulbright grantees Neha Balapal and Margaret Chi with USEF-Nepal Program Administrator Tina Lama |
Nepal's Public Debt Management: Challenges and Way Forward |
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Nepal Association of Humphrey Fellows (NAHF) conducted an insightful session on 'Nepal's Public Debt Management: Challenges and the Way Forward' on December 21 featuring Dr. Biswo Poudel, former Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission, at the South Asian Institute of Management (SAIM) College. Representatives from the Public Debt Management Office, the Ministry of Finance, current and former directors of the Humphrey Alumni Association, and Mr. Michael Gill, former Executive Director of USEF-Nepal, attended the event. |
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Dr. Biswo Poudel addressing the audience |
